Poet. Fitz-Greene Halleck, who became partially deaf in early childhood, ceased his formal schooling at age 15 and moved to New York five years later. A banker by trade, he began collaborating with writer Joseph Rodman Drake in a series of satires, "The Croaker Papers," in 1819. Published anonymously, the series became popular for its irreverent view of New York society and culture. That year, he also published "Fanny," a long narrative poem in the same satirical vein. The next year, Drake died and left him deeply depressed, though it inspired one of his most famous poems, "On the Death of Joseph Rodman Drake." There is some speculation that Halleck was in love with Drake. By this time, Halleck's popularity as a writer drew him into the Knickerbocker group: a loosely-connected circle of New York literati that included Washington Irving and William Cullen Bryant. His popularity greatly increased in the 1820s and 1830s with works like "Alnwick Castle" and the long poem "Marco Bozzaris," considered his masterpiece by his contemporaries. Though nicknamed "The American Byron," he continued to work in banking and in other financial jobs; John Jacob Astor was his employer for a time. In 1849, he returned to his home town in Connecticut. His writing output decreased considerably and his health waned up until his death in 1867. Shortly after, a committee was formed to honor the poet in New York, ultimately resulting in a statue in Central Park dedicated by President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1877. On the memorial is inscribed the words, "One of the few, the immortal names that were not born to die." Though largely forgotten today, Halleck remains the only American writer honored in the so-called "Literary Walk" of Central Park.

Poet. Fitz-Greene Halleck, who became partially deaf in early childhood, ceased his formal schooling at age 15 and moved to New York five years later. A banker by trade, he began collaborating with writer Joseph Rodman Drake in a series of satires, "The Croaker Papers," in 1819. Published anonymously, the series became popular for its irreverent view of New York society and culture. That year, he also published "Fanny," a long narrative poem in the same satirical vein. The next year, Drake died and left him deeply depressed, though it inspired one of his most famous poems, "On the Death of Joseph Rodman Drake." There is some speculation that Halleck was in love with Drake. By this time, Halleck's popularity as a writer drew him into the Knickerbocker group: a loosely-connected circle of New York literati that included Washington Irving and William Cullen Bryant. His popularity greatly increased in the 1820s and 1830s with works like "Alnwick Castle" and the long poem "Marco Bozzaris," considered his masterpiece by his contemporaries. Though nicknamed "The American Byron," he continued to work in banking and in other financial jobs; John Jacob Astor was his employer for a time. In 1849, he returned to his home town in Connecticut. His writing output decreased considerably and his health waned up until his death in 1867. Shortly after, a committee was formed to honor the poet in New York, ultimately resulting in a statue in Central Park dedicated by President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1877. On the memorial is inscribed the words, "One of the few, the immortal names that were not born to die." Though largely forgotten today, Halleck remains the only American writer honored in the so-called "Literary Walk" of Central Park.

Bio by: Midnightdreary